Rent-A-Center, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2007 Results

Rent-A-Center, Inc. (the "Company”) (NASDAQ/NGS:RCII), the nation’s largest rent-to-own operator, today announced revenues and earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. Third Quarter 2007 Results The Company reported total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 of $709.7 million, an increase of $122.5 million from the reported total revenues of $587.2 million for the same period in the prior year. This 20.9% increase in revenues was primarily driven by the Rent-Way acquisition that closed on November 15, 2006. Same store revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 decreased 1.8%. Reported net earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 were $25.3 million, an increase of $0.1 million or 0.4% from the reported net earnings of $25.2 million for the same period in the prior year. Reported diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 were $0.37, an increase of $0.01, or 2.8% from the reported diluted earnings per share of $0.36 for the same period in the prior year. Reported net earnings per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 includes $0.04 per share as a result of the receipt of accelerated royalty payments from former franchisees in consideration of the termination of their franchise agreements, as discussed below. For the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company generated cash flow from operations of approximately $127.2 million, while ending the quarter with $100.3 million of cash on hand. During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company repurchased 2,307,400 shares of its common stock for $45.1 million in cash under its common stock repurchase program. To date, the Company has repurchased a total of 18,235,950 shares and has utilized approximately $441.0 million of the $500.0 million authorized by its Board of Directors since the inception of the plan. In addition, during the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company reduced its outstanding indebtedness by approximately $31.2 million. "Our third quarter financial results for total revenue and earnings per diluted share were within our guidance range; however, the business environment was very challenging throughout the quarter,” commented Mark E. Speese, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Although we believe that our customer continues to face financial challenges, we have been encouraged by the positive results from our operational initiatives, as well as an increase in demand in October,” Speese continued. "As we prepare to enter 2008, we intend to focus on enhancing store level operations, improving operational efficiencies, and further investing in our financial services business, while maintaining a solid balance sheet,” Speese stated. The Company also announced today that it has reached a prospective settlement with the plaintiffs to resolve Terry Walker, et al. v. Rent-A-Center, Inc., et al., a putative class action filed in federal court in Texarkana, Texas, alleging that the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors violated various federal securities laws. Under the terms contemplated, the Company anticipates its insurance carrier will pay an aggregate of approximately $3.6 million in cash, which will be distributed to an agreed upon class of claimants who purchased the Company’s common stock from April 25, 2001 through October 8, 2001, as well as used to pay costs of notice and settlement administration, and attorneys’ fees and expenses. In connection with the settlement, neither the Company nor any officer and director defendants are admitting liability for any securities laws violations. The terms of the prospective settlement are subject to the parties entering into a definitive settlement agreement and obtaining court approval. While the Company believes that the terms of this prospective settlement are fair, there can be no assurance that the settlement, if completed, will be approved by the court in its present form. The Company expects its insurance carrier to fund the prospective settlement and related costs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 Results Total reported revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $2.189 billion, an increase of $0.411 billion, or 23.1% from the reported total revenues of $1.778 billion for the same period in the prior year. Same store revenues for the nine month period ending September 30, 2007 increased 1.4%. Reported net earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $81.6 million, a decrease of $23.8 million from the reported net earnings of $105.4 million for the same period in the prior year. This decrease is primarily a result of the $51.3 million litigation expense recorded in the first quarter of 2007 in connection with the settlement of the Perez matter, as discussed below. Reported diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $1.16, a decrease of $0.33 from the reported diluted earnings per share of $1.49 for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in the reported diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 is primarily driven by the $0.47 per share effect for the Perez litigation settlement expense, as discussed below. Through the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, the Company generated cash flow from operations of approximately $270.3 million. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, the Company repurchased 3,607,150 shares of its common stock for $80.1 million in cash under its common stock repurchase program. In addition, during the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, the Company reduced its outstanding indebtedness by approximately $91.5 million. Operations Highlights During the third quarter of 2007, the Company opened 10 new store locations, acquired one store as well as accounts from 24 additional locations, consolidated 24 stores into existing locations, and sold one store, for a net reduction of 14 stores and an ending balance as of September 30, 2007 of 3,361 company-owned stores. During the third quarter of 2007, the Company added financial services to 61 existing rent-to-own store locations, ending the quarter with a total of 282 stores providing these services. Through the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, the Company opened 20 new store locations, acquired 14 stores as well as accounts from 30 additional locations, consolidated 76 stores into existing locations, and sold three stores, for a net reduction of 45 stores since December 31, 2006. Through the nine month period ending September 30, 2007, the Company added financial services to 148 existing rent-to-own store locations, consolidated seven stores with financial services into existing locations, and closed nine locations, for a net addition of 132 stores providing these services. Since September 30, 2007, the Company has opened three new store locations and acquired accounts from one location. The Company has added financial services to four existing rent-to-own store locations since September 30, 2007. 2007 Significant Items Settlement with ColorTyme Franchisees. On July 31, 2007, ColorTyme entered into a settlement agreement with five affiliated ColorTyme franchisees pursuant to which the franchise agreements with respect to approximately 65 ColorTyme stores were terminated. ColorTyme received a cash payment in satisfaction of the contractually required, future royalties owed to ColorTyme pursuant to the franchise agreements. This settlement payment increased diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.04 in both the third quarter of 2007 and for the nine month period ended September 30, 2007. Hilda Perez. On September 14, 2007, the settlement of the Hilda Perez v. Rent-A-Center matter pending in New Jersey received final approval from the court. Under the terms of the settlement approved by the court, the Company agreed to pay an aggregate of approximately $85.8 million in cash, to be distributed to an agreed-upon class of its customers from April 23, 1999 through March 16, 2006. The Company also agreed to pay the plaintiffs' attorneys fees and costs to administer the settlement, in the aggregate amount of approximately $23.5 million. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company is entitled to 50% of any undistributed monies in the settlement. In connection with the settlement, the Company is not admitting liability for its past business practices in New Jersey. As previously reported, the Company recorded a pre-tax expense of $58.0 million in connection with the Perez matter during the fourth quarter of 2006, and an additional pre-tax charge of $51.3 million in the first quarter of 2007, to account for the aforementioned costs. The litigation expense with respect to the Perez settlement reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.47 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2007. The Company expects to fund the settlement with cash flow generated from operations, together with amounts available under its senior credit facilities, in the fourth quarter of 2007. Rent-A-Center will host a conference call to discuss the third quarter results, guidance and other operational matters on Tuesday morning, October 30, 2007, at 10:45 a.m. EDT. For a live webcast of the call, visit http://investor.rentacenter.com. Certain financial and other statistical information that will be discussed during the conference call will also be provided on the same website. Rent-A-Center, Inc., headquartered in Plano, Texas, currently operates approximately 3,360 company-owned stores nationwide and in Canada and Puerto Rico. The stores generally offer high-quality, durable goods such as major consumer electronics, appliances, computers and furniture and accessories under flexible rental purchase agreements that generally allow the customer to obtain ownership of the merchandise at the conclusion of an agreed upon rental period. ColorTyme, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a national franchiser of approximately 210 rent-to-own stores operating under the trade name of "ColorTyme." The following statements are based on current expectations. These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. These statements do not include the potential impact of any repurchases of common stock the Company may make, or the potential impact of acquisitions or dispositions that may be completed after October 29, 2007. FOURTH QUARTER 2007 GUIDANCE: Revenues The Company expects total revenues to be in the range of $708 million to $723 million. Store rental and fee revenues are expected to be between $638 million and $650 million. Total store revenues are expected to be in the range of $700 million to $715 million. Same store sales are expected to be flat. The Company expects to open 5 - 10 new rent-to-own store locations. The Company expects to add financial services to approximately 5 rent-to-own store locations. Expenses The Company expects cost of rental and fees to be between 22.1% and 22.5% of store rental and fee revenue and cost of merchandise sold to be between 76% and 80% of store merchandise sales. Store salaries and other expenses are expected to be in the range of 59.5% to 61.0% of total store revenue. General and administrative expenses are expected to be between 4.3% and 4.5% of total revenue. Net interest expense is expected to be approximately $21 million, depreciation of property assets is expected to be approximately $18 million and amortization of intangibles is expected to be approximately $4 million. The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 36.0% of pre-tax income. Diluted earnings per share are estimated to be in the range of $0.38 to $0.44. Diluted shares outstanding are estimated to be between 67.2 million and 68.2 million. FISCAL 2008 GUIDANCE: Revenues The Company expects total revenues to be in the range of $2.920 billion and $2.960 billion. Store rental and fee revenues are expected to be between $2.585 billion and $2.625 billion. Total store revenues are expected to be in the range of $2.890 billion and $2.930 billion. Same store sales are expected to be in the flat to 2% range. The Company expects to open approximately 40 new rent-to-own store locations. The Company expects to add financial services to approximately 200 rent-to-own store locations. Expenses The Company expects cost of rental and fees to be between 22.1% and 22.5% of store rental and fee revenue and cost of merchandise sold to be between 72% and 76% of store merchandise sales. Store salaries and other expenses are expected to be in the range of 58.5% to 60.0% of total store revenue. General and administrative expenses are expected to be between 4.3% and 4.5% of total revenue. Net interest expense is expected to be between $80 million and $85 million, depreciation of property assets is expected to be between $68 million and $73 million and amortization of intangibles is expected to be approximately $12 million. The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 37.0% of pre-tax income. Diluted earnings per share are estimated to be in the range of $1.95 to $2.10. Diluted shares outstanding are estimated to be between 67.5 million and 68.5 million. This press release and the guidance above contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "could," "estimate," "should," "anticipate," or "believe," or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements will prove to be correct, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. The actual future performance of the Company could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: uncertainties regarding the ability to open new rent-to-own stores; the Company's ability to acquire additional rent-to-own stores on favorable terms; the Company's ability to identify and successfully enter new lines of business offering products and services that appeal to its customer demographic, including its financial services products; the Company's ability to enhance the performance of acquired stores, including the Rent-Way stores acquired in November 2006; the Company's ability to control costs; the Company's ability to identify and successfully market products and services that appeal to its customer demographic; the Company's ability to enter into new and collect on its rental purchase agreements; the Company's ability to enter into new and collect on its short term loans; the passage of legislation adversely affecting the rent-to-own or financial services industries; interest rates; economic pressures affecting the disposable income available to the Company's targeted consumers, such as high fuel and utility costs; changes in the Company's stock price and the number of shares of common stock that it may or may not repurchase; changes in estimates relating to self-insurance liabilities and income tax and litigation reserves; changes in the Company's effective tax rate; the Company's ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls; changes in the number of share-based compensation grants, methods used to value future share-based payments and changes in estimated forfeiture rates with respect to share-based compensation; the resolution of the Company's litigation; the court hearing the Walker case could refuse to approve the settlement or could require changes to the settlement that are unacceptable to the Company or the plaintiffs; one or more parties filing an objection to the settlement of the Walker case; and the other risks detailed from time to time in our SEC reports, including but not limited to, the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and its quarterly reports for the quarters ended March 31, 2007, and June 30, 2007. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.   Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries   STATEMENT OF EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS   (In Thousands of Dollars, except per share data)   Three Months Ended September 30, 2007   2007       2006   2006     Before Royalty Payment (Non-GAAP) After Royalty Payment (GAAP)   Before Refinancing Charge & Legal Settlements (Non-GAAP) After Refinancing Charge & Legal Settlements (GAAP)     Total Revenue $ 705,801 $ 709,701 (1) $ 587,184 $ 587,184 Operating Profit 56,675 60,575 (1) 67,171 51,871 Net Earnings 22,723 25,275 (1) 36,380 25,241 (2)(3)(4) Diluted Earnings per Common Share $ 0.33 $ 0.37 (1) $ 0.51 $ 0.36 (2)(3)(4) Adjusted EBITDA $ 78,656 $ 78,656 $ 81,666 $ 81,666   Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA:   Earnings before income taxes 34,959 38,859 55,184 37,719 Add back: Litigation settlement expense -- -- -- 15,300 Finance charge from refinancing -- -- -- 2,165 ColorTyme franchisees settlement -- (3,900 ) -- -- Interest expense, net 21,716 21,716 11,987 11,987 Depreciation of property assets 18,028 18,028 13,486 13,486 Amortization of intangibles   3,953   3,953       1,009   1,009   Adjusted EBITDA $ 78,656 $ 78,656 $ 81,666 $ 81,666 (In Thousands of Dollars, except per share data)   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007   2007       2006   2006     Before Royalty Payment & Legal Settlement (Non-GAAP) After Royalty Payment & Legal Settlement (GAAP)   Before Refinancing Charge & Legal Settlements (Non-GAAP) After Refinancing Charge & Legal Settlements (GAAP)     Total Revenue $ 2,185,258 $ 2,189,158 (1) $ 1,777,782 $ 1,777,782 Operating Profit 241,104 193,754 (1)(5) 217,848 202,548 Net Earnings 111,886 81,629 (1)(5) 116,551 105,412 (2)(3)(4) Diluted Earnings per Common Share $ 1.59 $ 1.16 (1)(5) $ 1.65 $ 1.49 (2)(3)(4) Adjusted EBITDA $ 305,635 $ 305,635 $ 261,172 $ 261,172   Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA:   Earnings before income taxes 175,095 127,745 182,396 164,931 Add back: Litigation settlement expense -- 51,250 -- 15,300 Finance charge from refinancing -- -- -- 2,165 ColorTyme franchisees settlement -- (3,900 ) -- -- Interest expense, net 66,009 66,009 35,452 35,452 Depreciation of property assets 52,606 52,606 40,479 40,479 Amortization of intangibles   11,925   11,925       2,845   2,845   Adjusted EBITDA $ 305,635 $ 305,635 $ 261,172 $ 261,172 (1) Includes the effects of $3.9 million in franchise royalty income in the third quarter of 2007 for the settlement agreement with five affiliated ColorTyme franchisees. The royalty income increased diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.04 in both the third quarter of 2007 and the nine month period ended September 30, 2007. (2) Includes the effects of a $2.2 million pre-tax expense in the third quarter of 2006 to write off the remaining unamortized balance of financing costs from the Company’s previous credit agreement. This refinancing expense reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.02 in both the third quarter of 2006 and for the nine month period ended September 30, 2006. (3) Includes the effects of a $4.95 million pre-tax expense recorded in the third quarter of 2006 to account for the settlement amount and attorneys’ fees pursuant to the settlement with the plaintiffs to resolve the Jeremy Burdusis, et al. v. Rent-A-Center, Inc., et al./Israel French, et al. v. Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Kris Corso, et al. v. Rent-A-Center, Inc. coordinated matters pending in state court in Los Angeles, California. The expense reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.04 in the third quarter of 2006 and by approximately $0.05 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2006. The settlement was funded in the first quarter of 2007. (4) Includes the effects of a $10.35 million pre-tax expense recorded in the third quarter of 2006 to account for the settlement amount and defense costs associated with resolving the inquiry by the California Attorney General. The Company is working with the Attorney General and the settlement administrator to finalize the implementation procedures for the agreed restitution program and expects to fund the restitution account in the fourth quarter of 2007. The Company also agreed to a civil penalty in the amount of $750,000, which was paid in the first quarter of 2007. The expense reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.09 in both the third quarter of 2006 and the nine month period ended September 30, 2006. (5) Includes the effects of a $51.3 million pre-tax litigation expense in the first quarter of 2007 associated with the settlement in the Perez case. The expense reduced diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.47 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2007.     Selected Balance Sheet Data: (in Thousands of Dollars) September 30, 2007 September 30, 2006   Cash and cash equivalents $ 100,337 $ 53,706 Prepaid expenses and other assets 60,897 47,303 Rental merchandise, net On rent 728,922 638,091 Held for rent 236,782 195,086 Total Assets 2,665,286 2,064,725   Senior debt 901,802 358,468 Subordinated notes payable 300,000 300,000 Total Liabilities 1,711,000 1,117,145 Stockholders’ Equity 954,286 947,580   Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS   (In Thousands of Dollars, except per share data) Three Months Ended September 30,   2007       2006   Unaudited   Store Revenue Rentals and Fees $ 631,132 $ 532,260 Merchandise Sales 53,574 36,343 Installment Sales 8,593 6,798 Other   3,940     3,723     697,239 579,124   Franchise Revenue Franchisee Merchandise Sales 7,376 6,779 Royalty Income and Fees   5,086     1,281     Total Revenue 709,701 587,184   Operating Expenses Direct Store Expenses Cost of Rentals and Fees 140,219 117,018 Cost of Merchandise Sold 41,065 28,422 Cost of Installment Sales 2,822 2,856 Salaries and Other Expenses 422,294 340,379 Franchise Cost of Merchandise Sold   7,072     6,523     613,472 495,198   General and Administrative Expenses 31,701 23,806 Amortization of Intangibles 3,953 1,009 Litigation Settlement Expense   --     15,300     Total Operating Expenses   649,126     535,313     Operating Profit 60,575 51,871   Finance Charges from Refinancing -- 2,165 Interest Expense 23,419 13,322 Interest Income   (1,703 )   (1,335 )   Earnings before Income Taxes 38,859 37,719   Income Tax Expense   13,584     12,478     NET EARNINGS 25,275 25,241   BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES   67,939     69,808     BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.37   $ 0.36     DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES   68,587     70,853     DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.37   $ 0.36     Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS   (In Thousands of Dollars, except per share data) Nine Months Ended September 30,   2007       2006   Unaudited   Store Revenue Rentals and Fees $ 1,953,341 $ 1,579,719 Merchandise Sales 161,495 138,934 Installment Sales 24,649 18,377 Other   17,686     10,263     2,157,171 1,747,293   Franchise Revenue Franchisee Merchandise Sales 24,256 26,752 Royalty Income and Fees   7,731     3,737     Total Revenue 2,189,158 1,777,782   Operating Expenses Direct Store Expenses Cost of Rentals and Fees 429,215 344,518 Cost of Merchandise Sold 117,043 100,955 Cost of Installment Sales 9,496 7,677 Salaries and Other Expenses 1,260,135 1,012,263 Franchise Cost of Merchandise Sold   23,222     25,659     1,839,111 1,491,072   General and Administrative Expenses 93,118 66,017 Amortization of Intangibles 11,925 2,845 Litigation Settlement Expense   51,250     15,300     Total Operating Expenses   1,995,404     1,575,234     Operating Profit 193,754 202,548   Finance Charges from Refinancing 2,165 Interest Expense 70,946 39,646 Interest Income   (4,937 )   (4,194 )   Earnings before Income Taxes 127,745 164,931   Income Tax Expense   46,116     59,519     NET EARNINGS 81,629 105,412   BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES   69,349     69,536     BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $ 1.18   $ 1.52     DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES   70,229     70,581     DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $ 1.16   $ 1.49